Steve Pearce
For Steve Pearce it's the money poll that counts at this early stage of the 2010 campaign. The former southern GOP US Rep. will try to move the needle on that tonight in ABQ as he is feted at a major fund-raiser at the ABQ home of John Sanchez, the 2002 GOP Guv nominee, a roofing contractor who will bring in the heavy financial hitters. (Minimum contribution $250). Pearce'a numbers in his first money report that will cover the July thru September quarter will be closely watched. Pearce announced July 5 that he would challenge freshman Dem US Rep. Harry Teague.

Bringing back Pearce is the R's best bet for taking a congressional seat in NM next year. But it won't be easy. We are already hearing rumblings from some R's that Pearce's torch doesn't burn quite as bright because in 2008 he gave up the southern House seat to make an ill-fated run for US Senate.

Pearce this week will also tap into some of that oil money he is so familiar with. Oilman Fred Yates is among those on the host committee for a Pearce fund-raiser in Roswell Saturday night.

HEATHER AND STEVE

Among those on the host committee for the Sanchez fund-raiser tonight is former ABQ GOP Congresswoman Heather Wilson who waged battle against Pearce for the US senate nomination last year and lost. But Steve was throwing kisses to Heather in a recent Roll Call article. Speaking of her possibly running for the 2010 GOP Guv nod, he opined:

It would be nice if we had someone running with a better ID,” he said. “If Heather runs, it definitely runs our chances up the flagpole. I think we’ve got good candidates. The problem is name ID. That’s an expensive problem to solve.”

It sure is, but Steve has an equally expensive problem. Raising the millions needed to compete against fellow oil multi-millionaire Teague. He has never liked to spend his own money on a campaign, but this one is different and he told Roll Call the cobwebs could come off his wallet:

Pearce said it is his preference not to spend any of his own money on the campaign, but said he would not dismiss the possibility.

The pestering of Pearce to spend personal funds will only grow if he falls too far behind Teague who spent $1.5 million of his own money in 2008 and who has nearly $600,000 stockpiled for '10.

IT'S A GIRL

Get out the pink for GOP Guv candidate Doug Turner. Monday this news broke in response to my e-mail inquiry on whether there was another Turner on the planet:

Now there is another Turner in the world!! 6 lbs 9 oz baby girl born today at Presbyterian at 4:45! No name yet. Everyone healthy! Whew...

That "whew" was prompted in part by the baby's late arrival. The Turners, the parents of a son, had expected the newcomer over a week ago. Needless to say, Doug, 40, reports the campaign trail will be without him for a while. Do you think Allen Weh can be godfather and Susana Martinez godmother??

QUIET, BUT EFFECTIVE